Ep 10. The Game

The Game is the tenth episode of the first season of Alien Nation. The show is about a group of humanoid aliens known as "Newcomers" who are trying to assimilate to life on Earth after their spaceship crashes in Los Angeles. The show explores themes of prejudice, discrimination, and acceptance as the Newcomers struggle to find their place in society.

In this episode, we find Detective Matt Sikes (played by Gary Graham) investigating a series of murders that appear to be related to an underground game called "Dragon." The game is played by both humans and Newcomers and involves battles between players who wear special suits that allow them to simulate combat. Sikes has a personal interest in the case because his son, Johnny (played by Sean Six), has been playing the game and is potentially in danger.

As the investigation unfolds, Sikes discovers that the game is run by a group of humans who are using it as a cover for drug trafficking. They are also using Newcomers as pawns in the game, forcing them to fight each other for their own amusement. Sikes and his partner, the Newcomer Detective George Francisco (played by Eric Pierpoint), work together to shut down the operation and bring the criminals to justice.

One of the standout aspects of this episode is the way it highlights the cultural differences between humans and Newcomers. The game itself is a reflection of this, as it allows the players to participate in a form of combat that is similar to gladiatorial games. However, for the Newcomers, who come from a more peaceful society, the concept of violence is difficult to understand. Francisco in particular struggles with this, as he is uncomfortable with the idea of using simulated violence to entertain humans.

The episode also touches on the theme of addiction, as we see Johnny becoming increasingly obsessed with the game. Sikes is torn between his desire to protect his son and his duty as a police officer to shut down the criminal operation. This leads to some tense moments between Sikes and Francisco, who disagree on the best course of action.

Overall, The Game is a solid episode of Alien Nation that showcases the show's strengths. The sci-fi elements are used to explore deeper themes of human nature, and the dynamic between Sikes and Francisco continues to be a highlight of the series. The episode also features some impressive action sequences, including a climactic battle between the players of Dragon that is both thrilling and suspenseful.